On Wednesday, August 9th, Canadian Music Centre BC Head Librarian Stefan Hintersteininger travels to beautiful Smithers, BC, to attend the Orchestra North Summer Program (ONSP). A fun, inclusive and multi-tiered festival, summer camp and intensive workshop for musicians of all ages and levels, the ONSP encompasses a wide range of musical activities, ranging from solo performers, chamber music, small to medium-sized ensembles, and even a full symphony orchestra conducted by Okanagan Symphony Music Director Rosemary Thomson.
Of particular note is the unique Creating Composers series of workshops, led by 2017 Composer in Residence Rodney Sharman in association with Turning Point Ensemble. New works composed by participants during the session will receive their world premiere performances at a gala concert on Saturday, August 12th, presented in partnership with Turning Point Ensemble and sponsored by the Canadian Music Centre in BC. One new piece will be selected to receive the Canadian Music Centre in BC’s Barbara Pentland Award for Best Composition immediately following the concert.
The Orchestra North Summer Program runs from August 5th through 12th, and culminates in the epic Spirit of the North Classical Music Festival held in various venues throughout Smithers from August 10th through 12th. The Festival features over 25 concerts packed into just three days (where else can you take in more than eight concerts per day?!), and Stefan will be in attendance and checking in regularly with updates on all the exciting goings-on. And if you’re attending the festival in person, you may just catch a glimpse of Stefan joining in on some of the fun with his cello, too!